Cover image courtesy of Inglis
A testing 1400-metres was the only box the Toby Edmonds-trained Spicy Martini (Justify {USA}) needed to tick if she was to take out Saturday’s G1 Stradbroke Handicap.
The Eagle Farm feature proved a bridge too far for Spicy Martini in 2025. That remained the dark cloud over what had been a terrific campaign this time, highlighted by her second placing in the G1 Doomben 10,000 behind Rothfire (Rothesay).
When Private Eye (Al Maher) set a tempo that was more than six lengths above standard, we knew the race was set up for a genuine 1400-metre galloper.
There’s no doubt Spicy Martini was aided by the pattern for the day - seven of the nine winners settled in the top four, and of those seven, nothing was more than two lengths off the pace.
But take nothing away from this mare, her overall time was still the best part of two lengths inside standard time. She goes for a spell now, as does Fangirl (Sebring), who looked plain, albeit with some excuses, when running fourth.
Credit to Private Eye – what an old marvel he is. A dual Everest placegetter, he forged a reputation as a miler when taking out the G1 Epsom Handicap in 2021. Then he morphed into a get-back, run-on sprinter who gave star sprinters like Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) a scare in the race for the fastest horses in the land – the G1 Lightning Stakes.
Nowadays, this ageing warrior loves to lead in races around the magical 1400-metre trip. He won a G2 PB Lawrence Stakes last spring, and this was his third G1 Stradbroke Handicap, also his worst result – a creditable fifth, beaten two lengths after setting a white-hot tempo. Not many horses can reinvent themselves like this guy.
Spicy Martini winning the G1 Stradbroke Handicap | Image courtesy of Inglis
Tron Bolt gets the job done in the JJ Atkins
The Chris Waller-trained Tron Bolt (Toronado {Ire}) was our horse to follow after his Rosehill win on May 30, and he was rightly the punters’ elect in the G1 JJ Atkins last Saturday.
A strong tempo was set and he reeled them in, albeit his final 200-metres was nothing flash – more a case of passing tired horses.
JMac elected to go through the field rather than around them. Perhaps he too was concerned the horses in front didn’t have a huge amount left in the tank?
The question becomes: where to in the spring? Looking at his times, probably the G1 Golden Rose, then fresh into the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Is Alalcance now a Melbourne Cup contender?
What about Alalcance (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in the G2 Brisbane Cup? I’ve counted 26 emails or texts asking me if she can win a G1 Melbourne Cup. I find the average punter gets caught up in the moment, especially when they see a horse bolt in over a trip.
This stylish win had substance, she has beaten standard time by seven lengths and she’s done it carrying above her weight-for-age mark. This victory was a genuine Group 1 performance, and if she gets a wet track and runs to the same figure on the first Tuesday of November, then it would be shocking if she wasn’t in the top five.
Skyhook takes the Gunsynd
Still on the spring, Skyhook (Written Tycoon) might be one to follow. He won the G3 Gunsynd Classic running benchmark figures, but with a last 600-metres that was more than four lengths above standard.
Whether it’s a G1 Sir Rupert Clark Stakes or a G1 Epsom Handicap, time will tell, but he’s always shown ability and a Group 1 Handicap is within his reach going off recent figures.
Clevor Trever lives up to his name at Sandown
The highlight down at Sandown was the 3-year-old colt Clevor Trever (Omaha Beach {USA}), who has won four of his six starts and now has back-to-back Open class wins against 3-year-olds. Two runs back he showed dash off a slow tempo, whereas last Saturday was more of a grind - yet he still prevailed.
Often with young horses, this versatility is what you want to see as much as fast sectionals, because when you reach the top you have to be able to pivot with what’s unfolding. Most horses with dash get found out in faster-run races, and vice versa, while a horse that slogs it out gets left flat-footed in a sit-and-sprint.
Mbube looks promising
The Lloyd Kennewell-trained 2-year-old colt Mbube (Rubick) looks promising - he clocked the best last 800, 600 and 400-metres at Sandown. He was cuddled early off a soft tempo. The test will come in a faster race where his ability to run a fast overall time is required.
Marwooba and Celestial Charm worth keeping an eye out for
It was a similar story with Marwooba (Wootton Bassett {GB}) for Team Hawkes at Rosehill. Winner of the 2-year-old 1400-metre contest - where the overall time was irrelevant - because they went through the first 800-metres a staggering 14 lengths below standard.
It wasn’t until the home straight that the tempo lifted, but from there Marwooba couldn’t have done any more. He ran the fastest last 400-metres and 200-metres of the day.
One from the midweeks to keep an eye on is Celestial Charm (Extreme Choice) for Michael Freedman. She trounced her rivals at the Kensington track on Wednesday, taking four lengths off the standard time marker over the last 600-metres.
Her last 400-metres and 200-metres were the best of the day. Might be a nice bet for the Listed Rosebud in August?
